Political parties can integrate the issues of gender equality and women’s rights in their policy positions. Including women’s concerns into the party platform and disseminating these party positions can sometimes help political parties win the support of women voters and improve their electoral outcomes.[1]

Example: In Sierra Leone, a number of political parties included gender equality provisions in their manifestos in the lead-up to the 2007 general elections. The APC 2007 Manifesto “includes a section on women’s empowerment, with the objective of strengthening women’s groups, supporting women’s and girls’ education and empowering and working with appropriate authorities to implement laws and policies to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women.” The PMDC Manifesto includes the commitment to achieve gender parity through gender mainstreaming and the reform of discriminatory laws. The objectives of SLPP Manifesto for the period 2007-2012 include to work for gender equality, equity and empowerment and the promotion of women’s rights, through gender mainstreaming, legal frameworks combatting gender violence, increased women’s participation in decision-making and constitutional amendments to adopt affirmative action for women in legislative elections, among other measures. The NDA Manifesto focused especially on women’s education, and proposed to extend free education with primary and secondary schooling for girls in the whole country, responding to special education needs too.[2]

Example: In Canada, the Liberal Party disseminated a series of Pink Books, explaining the party’s position on priority issues for women.[3]

Example: In India, BJP women party members attracted the votes of women by introducing a policy to put 10.000 rupees in the saving account of all girls born in the state of Madir Pradesh to be used for their education once they reached 18 years of age.[4]

Example: In Peru, the Christian People’s Party (PPC) initiated a process to review the women and equal opportunities chapter of its government plan. With support from the International Republican Institute (IRI), the party sought public input through public hearings and meetings with specialized organizations.[5]